Duvnjak set for Kiel in 2014

Major transfer news between the two German 2013 VELUX EHF FINAL4 participants: Croat Domagoj Duvnjak will leave VELUX EHF Champions League winner HSV in 2014 to join three-time VELUX EHF Champions League winners THW Kiel. Both clubs have announced that Duvnjak signed a three-year contract at Kiel with the option of an extension until 2018.

”We are proud that we could persuade one of the best back court players of the world to join THW.

“Duvnjak will be an important part of our future team, taking huge responsibility,” said Kiel’s manager Klaus Elwardt:

THW and “Dule” had been in contact for several months, with both sides now finally agreeing on the transfer.

“I am really looking forward to be in the Kiel squad, but until the end of my contract in 2014 I will be there for Hamburg for 100 per cent. I owe HSV so much,” Duvnjak was quoted on the THW website.

Duvnjak arrived in 2009 at HSV from RK Zagreb and became VELUX EHF Champions League winner (2013), German champion (2011) and German Cup winner (2010) since his arrival.

With the Croatian national team “Dule” won bronze medals in all three major championships over the past 12 months (EHF EURO 2012, Olympic Games 2012 and world championship 2013).

The 25-year-old was also recently awarded best player of this season’s Bundesliga

“He is an extraordinary player with superb skills,” THW coach Alfred Gislason praised his future arrival.

Hamburg, for their part, have already reacted on the loss of one of their top stars with the signing of Spanish playmaker and world champion Joan Canellas.

The 26-year-old will join HSV in 2014, arriving from Atletico Madrid. Like Duvnjak in Kiel, Canellas signed a three-year contract at the current VELUX EHF Champions League winner.

“Joan will fit perfectly in our team and he will bring HSV forward,” HSV coach Martin Schwalb said.

“It was no hard decision, when I received the Hamburg offer.

“They are an absolute top club with the skills to win all titles in the world of handball. They are currently the best team in Europe,” Canellas is quoted on the HSV website.

In 2009 Canellas transferred to Ciudad Real, later-on named Atlético Madrid, and became a key player in the team.

In 2011 and 2012 he played the VELUX EHF Champions League Final in Cologne against Barcelona and Kiel.

Canellas is not the only newly announced player at HSV.

Former EHF Champions League winner Davor Dominikovic (35) arrives at Hamburg with immediate effect.

The Croatian defence specialist, who was world and Olympic champion in 2003 and 2004, comes from French team US Ivry and is set to fill the gap left by fellow Croat Igor Vori, who is joining Paris Saint Germain.

“Davor will have an important role in our team thanks to his vast international experience.

“He will guide our young newcomers in future,” HSV coach Schwalb said about the transfer

Dominikovic was a teammate of current HSV player Blazenko Lackovic in his home country at Metkovic and Zagreb.

He then played for Algeciras in Spain and became EHF Champions League winner with FC Barcelona, also having spells with THW Kiel and Kronau-Östringen (forerunner of EHF Cup winner Rhein Neckar Löwen), before transferring to France.

“To be back in Germany is a sort of a homecoming for me. I am looking forward to join my fellow Croats and be part of the Champions League winning team,” Dominikovic was quoted on the HSV website.